SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 0 The mystery of Pigeon, Columba livia ---Why do they live in urban area? School name: Valtorta College Team 10 Teacher adviser: Mr. Yeung Wai Kee Name of member: Cheung Hoi Yam Arise(F.4F), Hui Man Hon, Oscar(F.4F), Leung Chi Shun, Anson(F.4F), Leung Pok Man , Bob (F.4F), Wong Man To ,Alvin (F.4F)
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SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 0
The mystery of Pigeon, Columba livia
---Why do they live in urban area?
School name: Valtorta College
Team 10
Teacher adviser: Mr. Yeung Wai Kee
Name of member: Cheung Hoi Yam Arise(F.4F), Hui Man Hon, Oscar(F.4F),
Leung Chi Shun, Anson(F.4F), Leung Pok Man , Bob (F.4F),
Wong Man To ,Alvin (F.4F)
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 1
Content P.1----------Abstract of the investigation
P.2----------Reasons and objectives of the investigation, Prediction and hypothesis
P.3----------Brief introduction of Columba Livia
P.3-5--------First Experiment: Distance Test
P.5----------Second Experiment: Sound Test
P.6-7--------Third Experiment: Fake Food Test
P.7-10------Observation on the activities of Columba Livia
P.11---------Environment around our school
P.12-13------Questionnaire
P.14-19-----Discussion
P.19-------- Limitations of investigation
P.19---------Suggestions of further investigations
P.19---------Overall Conclusion
P.20--------- Bibliography
Abstract
There are many Columba livia (also known as pigeon) living in Tai Po market. They are
very active in this urban area such as Tai Ming Lane square. In this study, we
investigated the relationship between human beings and Columba livia, as well as some
of their living habits(e.g. way of looking for food). We have performed some
questionnaire survey on the responses of citizens towards the existence of Columba livia.
We have also carried out several experiments, such as sound test, fake food test and
distance test etc.
Eventually, we find that the action of the feeder plays an essential role on feeding habit
of pigeon. In addition, there is a critical distance for which will threaten Columba livia
and force them to fly away. Moreover, they do not concern much about the sound of
predator.
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 2
Reason of investigation
Around our school, we have found a lot of Columba livia. However, the Columba livia
bring many disturbances to the citizens in Tai Po Market. Why are there many
Columba livia? Why they “love” the urban area but not the natural area? Why the
citizens in Tai Po have a totally different views when talking about Columba livia, as
the droppings of pigeon is unhygienic and may contain H5N1 viruses which may bring
life threatens to human beings? We would like to carry out different observations and
experiments in order to figure out why Columba livia prefer staying in the artificial
area (i.e. Tai Po Market, including the park and some buildings) instead of staying in
wild environments such as the woodland, as well as the living habit of Columba livia.
Apart from the choice of the accommodation, we will also figure out the relationship
between the Columba livia and human beings.
Objective
To figure out the feeding habit or the method to choose food of Columba livia
To see if the Columba livia leave when their nature hunter’s sound is present (e.g. sound
of eagle hunting birds)
Prediction and Hypothesis
1- Columba livia stay in urban area due to the construction like the roof?
2- The attraction of Columba livia is due to the human construction area and the ease
for them to find food.
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 3
Brief introduction of Columba livia1
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Characteristic: Plumage is variable but usual form is blue-grey with two broad black
wing bars.
Natural habitat: Cliffs, caves & eaves
Length: 32 cm Wingspan: 66 cm Weight: 300 g (For adult)
Range: The natural Columba livia is a rare bird in China, only occurring in isolated
pockets in the north.
Experiment 1—distance test
In this experiment, we will approach to the bird and estimate the minimum distance for
human to get close to the pigeon and sparrow (for comparison).
Apparatus required:
A soft ruler
Procedure----
1) Find a pigeon(or Sparrow) that land on the ground.
2) Start approaching near the pigeon(or Sparrow), mark the point you start as ‘S’.
3) Walk until the pigeon(or Sparrow) turn its direction, mark the point ‘A1’.
4) Walk near the bird until the pigeon(or Sparrow) fly away, mark the point ‘B1’.
5) Measure and record the distance between S and A1, S and B2.
6) Find a new landing pigeon(or Sparrow) and repeat steps 1-4, name the point A2.B2
and so on.
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 4
Results of test on pigeon:
First
trial
Second
trial
Third
trial
Fourth
trial
Fifth
trial
Sixth
trial
Recording date 20/3/12 22/3/12 22/3/12 23/3/12 26/3/12 26/3/12
Closest Distance
for human to
approach before
pigeon fly away
72 cm No
relevant
record
No
relevant
record
72 cm 85 cm No
relevant
record
Closest Distance
for human to
approach before
Pigeon walk in
opposite direction
142cm 14cm 115 cm 113 cm 115cm 0-10cm
Pigeon’s
activity at that
moment
Resting,
landing
Eating Resting Resting Resting Eating
Results of test on sparrow:
First trial Second trial Third trial
Recording date 22/3/12 22/3/12 26/3/12
Closest Distance for human to
approach before
sparrow fly away
85cm 182cm 143cm
Closest Distance for human to
approach before
Sparrow walk in opposite
direction
93cm 182cm 143cm
Sparrow’s activity at that
moment Eating Resting Resting
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 5
(Both results were recorded in Tai Ming Lane Square)
approaching a pigeon
Experiment 2---Sound test
In this experiment, we will play the sound of different kinds of birds to the pigeon and
observe whether the pigeon will leave or continue their action.
Apparatus required:
Eagle sound sample, Pigeon dead sound, other bird’s sound x1
Procedure----
1) Put a loudspeaker on the ground, containing different sound of birds , e.g., eagle,
falcon, pigeon etc.
2) Wait for the pigeon to move near the loudspeaker and switch on the loudspeaker
immediately.
3) Observe the action of the bird and change to another sound
Result:
First Trial----No reaction of the pigeon for all sound broadcasted
Second Trial----No reaction of the pigeon for all sound broadcasted
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 6
Experiment 3—Fake food test
In this experiment, we will put the fake food on ground which is near the living place of
the pigeon. After placing the fake food, we will switch on the camera and observe the
choice of the pigeon and hence we can determine whether the pigeon choose food by
smell or by sight.
Apparatus required:
Fake food sample x1 Camera x1
Procedure----
1) Put the fake food on the ground where the pigeon usually appear.
2) Put a camera on the ground nearby(around 50cm).
3) Start the camera and observe the choice of the pigeon.
4) Repeat steps 1-3 with a new pigeon.
The method used by Columba livia to judge whether an object is edible.
Introduction: As we observe there have always been many pigeons searching for food in
the Tai Ming Lane Square. We are curious about by what means the pigeon would regard
an object as food
By our previous observation and tracing, we find that the pigeons would attempt to eat
or to eat small object almost in all colours. The food they eat is also in any size equal to
or smaller than 2,5 dollars coin. But what really attract the pigeons.
Hypothesis
Part1
We suggest that the behavior(throwing or rolling) of the feeder may have some effect on
the feeding habit of pigeons.
Aim of experiment: To investigate whether the effect of the behavior throwing or rolling
of the feeder on the interest of the pigeons towards the food and whether they carry out
trials to judge whether an object is edible.
Procedures:
We project 7 plastic fake foods towards 5 pigeons at the moment.5 pigeons and some
sparrows were gathering on the ground.
Observations: All the pigeons flew away, they didn’t come back to the same region
within 15 minutes, but they just stay at a higher place around there such as trees.
Special notes: some sound were produced by pigeons.
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 7
Part2
We roll 7 plastic fake food towards the pigeons.
Observations: All the pigeons approach the food by only 2 of them tried to peck the fake
food.
Feeder behavior Projecting the food Rolling the food
The behavior of the
pigeons towards the
fake food.
All of the birds fly
away.
The birds approach
the food and carried
out trials.
Observation on the activities of the pigeon
In this experiment, we will observe the activity of the pigeon and the relationship
between number of the pigeon and different condition.
Apparatus required:
Telescope x1 Light meter x 1 Thermohygrometer x1
SNS 2012 Team 10 report p. 8
Result: S: School rooftop (Overlooking) M: Mei Wah Building
T: Tai Ming Lane Square
Date 10/03 12/03 13/03 14/03
Venue S M T S M T S M T S M T S M T S M T
Time 2:20-2:50PM 4:12-4:42PM 8:05-8:35AM 1:25-1:55PM 5:50-6:20PM 1:05-1:30PM